Multiple application tire sealer and inflator

ABSTRACT

A multiple application tire sealer and inflator. In a described embodiment, a system for dispensing a substance into a tire having a tire valve is provided. The system includes a container for the substance, a flexible conduit and an adaptor. The adaptor has an end configured for attachment both to the flexible conduit and to the tire valve.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to vehicle tire sealers and inflators and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a tire sealer and inflator system which is configured for use in multiple applications.

A tire sealer and inflator is used to seal a puncture or other leak in a vehicle tire, and to inflate the tire, so that it can continue to be used, at least temporarily. Tire sealers and inflators are generally available in two configurations. In one configuration, an aerosol can has a tire valve connector provided on the can, and the connector is threaded directly onto a tire valve to dispense the contents of the can into a tire through the tire valve. In another configuration, an aerosol can has one end of a hose connected to the can, and the other end of the hose is provided with a tire valve connector. The connector is threaded onto a tire valve to open the tire valve, and a user then depresses a valve on the can to thereby dispense the contents of the can into the tire through the hose.

The first configuration is convenient for use in applications where the tire valve is readily accessible, the valve is properly positioned, and enough clearance is available for threading the can with its connector onto the tire valve. The second configuration is convenient for use in applications where the tire valve is not conveniently accessible, the tire valve is not properly positioned, or there is not enough clearance for the can directly opposite the tire valve. Thus, these two different configurations are available for different applications.

However, it would be beneficial to be able to provide a tire sealer and inflator which is configured for convenient use in multiple different applications. For example, this would enable a consumer to purchase a single product which is suitable for multiple applications, without the necessity of knowing beforehand which of the applications the product will be used for. As another example, this would reduce the need for a retail store to inventory multiple different products for the different applications.

Therefore, it would be desirable to be able to configure a tire sealer and inflator for use in multiple different applications. This concept would also be desirable for dispensing other substances into tires, such as tire balancers, etc.

SUMMARY

In carrying out the principles of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment thereof, a system and method are provided which enable a substance to be dispensed into a tire from a container in multiple applications. An adaptor on the container permits use of a flexible conduit between the container and the tire valve, and also permits the adaptor to be connected directly to the tire valve.

In one aspect of the invention, a system for dispensing a substance into a tire having a tire valve is provided. The system includes a container for the substance, a flexible conduit and an adaptor on the container. The adaptor has an end configured for attachment to the flexible conduit. The adapter end is also configured for direct attachment to the tire valve.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of dispensing a substance into a tire is provided. The method includes the steps of connecting a flexible conduit to a tire valve for the tire, and then attaching a container of the substance to the flexible conduit.

These and other features, advantages, benefits and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed description of a representative embodiment of the invention hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a system for dispensing substances into a tire, the system embodying principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged scale partially cross-sectional view of a coupler in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale partially cross-sectional view of an adaptor and a container valve in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a first configuration of the system; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of a second configuration of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a system 10 which embodies principles of the present invention. In the following description of the system lo and other apparatus and methods described herein, directional terms, such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, it is to be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of the present invention.

The system 10 includes a container 12 of a substance which is to be dispensed into a tire. The container 12 has a valve 40 which, when opened, permits the substance to flow out of the container. The substance may be provided under elevated pressure in the container 12, so that when the valve 40 is opened, the substance is expelled out of the container.

The system 10 also includes an adaptor 16 and a hose or flexible conduit 18. The adaptor 16 has an end 20 which is configured for attachment to the container 12. Preferably, the end 20 of the adaptor 16 is already attached to the container 12 when the end user purchases the system 10. An opposite end 22 of the adaptor 16 is configured so that it may be attached either to the hose 18 or to a tire valve 44 (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIGS. 4 & 5).

The hose 18 has a coupler 24 attached at one end 26 of the hose, and a tire valve connector 28 attached at an opposite end 30 of the hose. When properly connected to the tire valve 44, the connector 28 secures the hose 18 to the tire valve and opens the tire valve. The connector 28 is depicted as being of the type which is threaded onto a tire valve, but other types of connectors may be used if desired.

It may now be appreciated that the system 10 permits the container 12 to be connected to a tire valve either using the adaptor 16 alone, or with the hose 18 interconnected between the adaptor and the tire valve. One application may permit convenient use of the container 12 attached to the tire valve without use of the hose 18, while another application may permit convenient use of the hose interconnected between the container and the tire valve. Thus, the system 10 is configurable for use in multiple different applications.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, the coupler 24 is representatively illustrated apart from the remainder of the system 10. In this view it may be seen that an end 32 of the coupler 24 is internally threaded for attachment to the externally threaded end 22 of the adaptor 16. An opposite end 34 of the coupler 24 is configured for attachment to the end 26 of the hose 18.

A check valve 36 is positioned between the ends 32, 34 of the coupler 24. The check valve 36 permits flow from the end 32 to the end 34 of the coupler 24, but prevents flow from the end 34 to the end 32, for purposes which will be described more fully below. Note, also, that a generally tubular member 38 extends downwardly from the check valve 36.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, the adaptor 16 and an upper end of the container valve 40 are depicted apart from the remainder of the system 10. In this view it may be seen that the end 22 of the adaptor 16 is also internally threaded. The internal threads are configured for threading the adaptor 16 onto a tire valve.

With the end 20 of the adaptor 16 attached to the container 12, a reciprocably disposed elongated member 39 within the adaptor is positioned in close proximity to the valve 40. If the member 39 is displaced a sufficient distance downwardly as viewed in FIG. 3, the member will depress the valve 40, thereby opening the valve and permitting the substance to be expelled from the container 12.

The adaptor 16 is preferably attached to the container 12 by snapping an outwardly projecting circumference 42 of the end 20 into a recess in the top of the container 12. Other means of attaching the adaptor 16 to the container 12 may be used if desired. Alternatively, the adaptor 16 could be provided as an integral assembly with the container 12.

The coupler 24 may be threaded onto the adaptor 16, and/or other connecting means may be used to attach the coupler to the adaptor, such as snapping the coupler to the adaptor, etc. The internal threads of the end 32 and the external threads of the end 22 may be configured so that they may be threaded or snapped together.

When the coupler 24 is attached to the adaptor 16, the member 38 contacts and displaces the member 39 downward, thereby opening the container valve 40. This permits the substance to flow through the valve 40 from the container 12, through the adaptor 16, through the check valve 36 in the coupler 24 and into the hose 18.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 4, the system 10 is depicted in a configuration in which the hose 18 is interconnected between the container 12 and a tire valve 44. Preferably, the tire valve connector 28 is first threaded onto the tire valve 44. This opens the tire valve 44, secures the hose 18 to the tire valve, and thereby provides fluid communication between the hose 18 and the tire (not shown) to which the tire valve is attached.

Note that, at this point, the check valve 36 in the coupler 24 prevents any pressure in the tire from escaping through the hose 18. The check valve 36 could perform this function if it were located elsewhere, for example, in the tire valve connector 28, or interconnected between the hose ends 26, 30, etc.

With the adaptor 16 attached to the container 12, the member 39 is in close proximity to the valve 40 (as depicted in FIG. 3). When the coupler 24 is attached to the adaptor 16, the container valve 40 is opened as described above, and the substance can now flow from the container 12, through the hose 18 and into the tire through the tire valve 44.

When the substance has been dispensed into the tire, the coupler 24 is disconnected from the adaptor 16. Again, the check valve 36 prevents pressure in the tire from escaping through the hose 18. The tire valve connector 28 is then detached from the tire valve 44.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 5, the system 10 is depicted in a configuration in which the hose 18 is not interconnected between the container 12 and the tire valve 44. Instead, with the adaptor 16 attached to the container 12, the adaptor is then connected to the tire valve 44, for example, by threading or snapping the adaptor onto the tire valve. When the adaptor 16 is connected to the tire valve 44, the member 39 enters the tire valve and opens it, and the member is displaced by the tire valve so that it also opens the container valve 40. Thus, the substance may now flow through the valve 40 from the container 12, through the adaptor 16 and into the tire through the tire valve 44.

Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the invention, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to these specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A method of dispensing a substance into a tire, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a flexible conduit to a tire valve for the tire; and then attaching a container of the substance to the flexible conduit.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit connecting step further comprises opening the tire valve.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit connecting step further comprises providing fluid communication between the flexible conduit and the tire.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a check valve, and wherein in the flexible conduit connecting step, the check valve prevents pressure within the tire from escaping through the flexible conduit.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the providing step further comprises positioning the check valve at an end of the flexible conduit, and positioning a tire valve connector at an opposite end of the flexible conduit.
 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the container attaching step further comprises attaching the check valve between the container and the flexible conduit.
 7. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of attaching an adaptor to the container, and wherein the container attaching step further comprises attaching the check valve to the adaptor.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of attaching the check valve to the adaptor further comprises opening a valve of the container.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the container valve opening step further comprises permitting the substance to flow from the container through the container valve, through the adaptor, through the check valve, through the flexible conduit, and through the tire valve into the tire.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container attaching step further comprises opening a valve of the container, thereby permitting the substance to flow from the container through the container valve, through the flexible conduit, and through the tire valve into the tire.
 11. A system for dispensing a substance into a tire having a tire valve, the system comprising: a container for the substance; a flexible conduit; and an adaptor on the container having an end configured for attachment directly to the flexible conduit and configured for attachment directly to the tire valve.
 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the flexible conduit has a tire valve connector at an end of the conduit, and a coupler at an opposite end of the conduit.
 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein a valve of the container is opened when the coupler is attached to the adaptor end.
 14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the flexible conduit further has a check valve which prevents escape of pressure from the tire through the flexible conduit when the tire valve connector is connected to the tire valve.
 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the check valve is positioned at an end of the flexible conduit and the tire valve connector is positioned at an opposite end of the flexible conduit.
 16. The system according to claim 15, wherein a valve of the container is opened when the check valve is attached to the adaptor.
 17. The system according to claim 14, wherein fluid communication is provided between the flexible conduit and the tire when the tire valve connector is connected to the tire valve.
 18. The system according to claim 11, wherein the adaptor includes a reciprocably disposed member which displaces to open a valve of the container when the flexible conduit is attached to the adaptor.
 19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the reciprocably disposed member displaces to open the valve of the container when the adaptor is attached to the tire valve.
 20. The system according to claim 11, wherein the adaptor includes a reciprocably disposed member which displaces to open a valve of the container when the adaptor is attached to the tire valve.
 21. The system according to claim 11, wherein the adaptor and the container are provided in an integral assembly. 